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Bacterial sinus infection guide

Bacterial sinus infection treatment online in Virginia and West Virginia

This guide is for a sinus infection that is likely bacterial in adults and children age 4 and older, not for early sinus colds, which are usually viral, and not for the warning signs listed below.

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Start a $59 online review for Bacterial sinus infection.

Most short sinus colds are viral and settle on their own over a week or so with supportive care. Online review for a bacterial sinus infection fits best when symptoms have gone 10 or more days without improving, or when a cold seemed to be getting better and then clearly worsened again, a pattern sometimes called double-sickening. After screening, a physician may prescribe amoxicillin, a pregnancy-safe alternative when needed, or recommend supportive care while symptoms run their course.

If treatment is appropriate, your physician can send a non-controlled prescription to your pharmacy and provide portal instructions for the next step.

Start this visitSee response windows

Quick facts

  • You must be physically in Virginia and West Virginia at the time of request
  • Starts at $59
  • No insurance needed
  • No app download
  • Physician review around the clock
  • Non-controlled prescriptions can be sent to your pharmacy when appropriate
  • A work or school note can be included when medically appropriate
  • Response windows: 24/7, every day

Common symptoms

  • Facial pressure or pain over the cheeks, around the eyes, or the forehead
  • Thick or discolored nasal drainage with ongoing congestion
  • Symptoms lasting 10 or more days without improving
  • A cold that began to improve and then clearly worsened again

May fit online care

  • Adults & children 4+ (with a parent or legal guardian)
  • Adult, or a child age 4 or older with a parent or guardian involved
  • Symptoms have lasted 10 or more days without improving, or clearly worsened after starting to get better
  • Feeling generally well enough to be up and about at home
  • Looking for physician review of whether an antibiotic or supportive care is the better fit

Look for another care setting

  • Swelling or redness around an eye, vision changes, or trouble moving the eye
  • Severe headache, a stiff neck, confusion, or forehead swelling
  • Numbness or weakness of the face
  • A high fever with looking very unwell, or a weakened immune system

What to have ready

  • When symptoms began and whether they have improved, stayed the same, or worsened
  • The age of the person being seen if it is a child age 4 or older
  • Any fever, eye symptoms, severe headache, or neck stiffness
  • Medication allergies, current medicines, and pregnancy status if it may apply

What happens next

Standard

$59

Within 6 hours

Priority

$99

Within 3 hours

Rush

$149

Within 1 hour

Start the request on the website, answer the fit questions, and choose the response window you want. If the concern still fits this service, a physician reviews it and sends a secure update after sign-in. When appropriate, non-controlled prescriptions can be sent to your pharmacy, and a basic work or school note can be included at physician discretion.

How do I know if my sinus infection is bacterial rather than a cold?

A helpful sign is timing. Most sinus colds are viral and improve within about a week. Symptoms that last 10 or more days without improving, or that get better and then clearly worsen, are more likely to be bacterial and may fit this review.

My symptoms started only a few days ago. What should I do?

An early sinus cold is usually viral and often settles with rest, fluids, and comfort measures. If you would like guidance on supportive care for a recent cold or sinus pressure, the cold, flu, and sinus guide is a better starting point.

Read the cold, flu, and sinus guide

Can children be seen for a sinus infection?

Children age 4 and older can be reviewed with a parent or guardian involved. The intake screens for the same warning signs used for adults so that anything needing in-person care is directed there.

When should a sinus infection be seen in person instead?

Please seek in-person or emergency care for swelling or redness around an eye, vision changes, trouble moving the eye, a severe headache, a stiff neck, confusion, forehead swelling, or facial numbness or weakness. These can point to a more serious infection that needs prompt evaluation.